Baalke weighs in from combine on … Gore, James, linebackers and more

Note: I’m not in Indianapolis for the scouting combine but I tuned in (on DenverBroncos.com live stream) to watch general manager Trent Baalke’s first press conference since the 49ers season ended in the NFC Championship game. Had I been there, I would have asked him about Colin Kaepernick’s 2013 season and contract status, topics not covered in the presser. Here are some highlights:

Baalke said the 49ers’ salary cap is in “good shape,” so much so it won’t heavily factor into how they shape their backfield for 2014 and at what price Frank Gore returns for a 10th season.

“We can move forward exactly as is if that’s what we choose to do,” Baalke told reporters Friday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

As it stands, the 49ers remain enamored with Gore as their do-everything running back. But they also must figure out how Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James factor into the mix with a rehabilitated Marcus Lattimore, as well as practice-squad gem Jewel Hampton.

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James, a 2012 second-round draft pick out of Oregon, apparently isn’t on the trading block despite rushing for only 184 regular-season yards in two seasons. Baalke, in a separate interview with the Sacramento Bee, said there’ve been no discussions to unload James.

Gore is poised to carry a $6.45 cap figure in the final year of his contract, including $3.3 million in base salary. He averaged a career-low 4.1 yards per carry last season while eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark (1,128) for the seventh time in nine seasons.

While Gore played nearly 75 percent of the snaps, his understudies saw their chances diminish, particularly because of Gore’s pass-protection proficiency.

“All I can say is it’s a crowded backfield. Frank had an awfully good football season,” Baalke said. “Coach (Jim Harbaugh) mentioned yesterday it was A-plus-plus, and it was that kind of year.

“It’s tough. There’s certain game plans LaMichael was meant to play bigger role than he ended up playing. But that’s the game. Every game you go in with a plan and sometimes that changes based on what you’re doing and what the other team is doing. You’ve got to be flexibile. It’s up to LaMichael and everyone one of our players, we tell them up to you to earn time on the field.”

Lattimore, the former South Carolina standout, did not play his rookie season while recovering from knee reconstruction. Hampton has not taken a snap since signing in 2012 as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois.

Anthony Dixon, a short-yardage back and part-time fullback last season, is scheduled to become a free agent next month. He’s rushed for 458 yards and eight touchdowns in four seasons while also serving as a core special-teams player.

— Baalke spoke Thursday with outside linebacker Aldon Smith and is encouraged by his offseason approach. “He’s in Vail, having a good time away. We keep in contact regularly,” Baalke said. “We’ve got a great support system. Aldon’s done an outstanding job utilizing that support system and will continue do to that.” Smith missed five games last season while undergoing personal treatment after an alleged drunken-driving accident.

— Harbaugh’s role hasn’t changed in terms of personnel evaluation. “We’ve always worked hard together to identify the players at every position that fit our system. …and fit the DNA of the type of players you’re looking for,” Baalke said.

— Michael Wilhoite and Nick Moody are in line to fill in for inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (knee). “We’re going to take a hard look at that to see if we need to infuse a little bit more competition into that position,” Baalke said. “The No. 1 thing regarding NaVorro is making sure he’s 100 percent before we bring him back. … If that’s midseason, middle-to-late part of the season, that’s when it is.”

— Baalke is expecting big things in 2014 from several of last year’s draft picks who contributed little or nothing to 2013, including Lattimore, defensive tackle Tank Carradine, tight end Vance McDonald and wideout Quinton Patton.

— Part of the 49ers’ draft evaluations eventually will include analysis of prospects’ social-media accounts. “We all know what we’re looking for: just how responsible they are in the use of it,” Baalke said.

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I must say I am impressed by the 49ers management and the way they show concern for their present and future players.
Allowing top-tier drafted players like Tank Carradine and Marcus Lattimore a full year to rehabilitate injuries incurred while playing college ball is an example of management’s concern for individuals over immediate team needs. For pros like Michael Crabtree, Chris Culliver et al to be allowed time to recover from injuries without fear of being cut or traded makes the 49ers a player’s dream team.
Such loyalty to players begets loyalty in return. It makes for a standout worker-friendly atmosphere within a corporation that is in a very competitive league.